Chapter 8: Oak Tree

"Can you cook?"

These words were not what I was expecting. I thought he would shout and scold me for wandering around the house but it seems I got the wrong idea.

I nodded my head then shook it in denial. To be honest, I didn't know what was going through my head at that moment.

He didn't say anything and just watched me make a fool of myself. Then, he surprised me with what he said next.

"That doesn't give you enough reason to snoop around." Did I just hear correctly? Here I was thinking that he wasn't that bad after all but once again, he proves me wrong.

"Go back to your room while I have someone get something for you." he turned around and wanted to leave but how can I let him leave first?

"Sir," I stopped him halfway and walked up to him.

"I'm not hungry. Do tell your helpers not to worry." then, I walked away. God help me. It seems my stomach would have to cry for a few days.

I had barely taken ten steps when I heard his low raspy voice. "If you say so." those words made my pace reduce. Did he just say that? Can he be any more annoying?

Then, I heard him speak so close to my ears. "Then maybe I should tie you up and make you hungry." I shivered when I heard his calm yet powerful voice.

I began to walk away again but he carried me up in a princess style and began to walk upstairs.

Protesting, I hit his chest with my tiny hands. "Put me down!" I didn't know where my courage came from but all I know was I didn't want him carrying me.

My commands were like empty treats for him. He didn't seem bothered at all as I hit him harder with my fists.

Soon, we got to the room and he placed me on the bed and turned back. I thought he was leaving but he walked to the door and locked it.

When I heard the sound of the door locking, my eyes widened and my heart began to beat faster. What is he planning on doing to me? He wasn't serious when he said he would tie me up, was he?

He turned back and walked slowly to the bed. I drew backwards as my heartbeat was like drums and cymbals. He got to the edge and then, slowly crawled forward.

I moved backwards till my back was touching the bed rest. I hugged my legs to keep some distance between the both of us but he kept coming close. "What... are..."

I tried to speak but my words were stuck to my mouth. Why does he like putting me in this kind of situation? It's not like we really got married. I was only given away to him and this could be classified as kidnapping if I decide to tell the police about it. But I can't do that because u don't know if he's telling the truth or not.

If he is telling the truth about being the monster then when I report, the entire village would be wiped out. Yes... I still care about them. I know they did what they had to because they couldn't take the killings of so many people. After all, it would be better to sacrifice one life than the lives of so many women, children, and the aged.

He kept coming closer and closer until he got to where my legs separated us. His hands moved and caressed my legs making me feel uneasy.

His hand slid under my black baggy pants and caressed my tiny legs. "St...stop... Stop"

I tried to summon the courage to stop him but my words came like a whisper. He hovered over me and began to undo the button of my shirt. I wanted to cry and beg him to stop because I'd never done this before but his hands stopped at the second button and it went up to my neck.

His gaze was filled with something I couldn't phantom. The way he looked at me was different from the way I envision. At this moment, he didn't look lustful just something else.

He placed his lips on my neck and began to suck on it. Why was he doing this I couldn't understand. Is he really going to go down with me without my consent?

"Please... Stop... This is wrong." I spoke in a shaking voice.

He stopped what he was doing and looked me in the eyes. "What? What is wrong about consummating our marriage?" his voice was husky and he leaned again to kiss my neck then below my earlobes.

"We aren't married." I blurted out.

He stopped and looked at me this time, he was serious and his brow was furrowed. "We aren't married?" he acted obliviously and looked at me seriously.

I was equally confused because he looked certain. "Yes sir... We aren't married. Married people are supposed to sign on their marriage certificate"

He looked away and nodded. He then stretched his hand and pulled the drawer. He brought out a file and opened it the passed it to me "Isn't that your signature"

I stared at the certificate in horror. How's this possible? I don't even remember signing anything of such so how could this have happened.

AYLA GREGOR WEDS GERARD JAREK.

"This... this is not real. I don't remember signing anything like this." yes it was my signature and my handwriting but how, when, where?

"Yes you don't remember signing it but it's signed anyways so we are married." He spoke with no form of care or fear of rejection. I don't know him and I'm sure I never signed these papers.

He leans in again but I stopped him. "I didn't take any marriage vows with you so this certificate is meaningless."

He stared at me and I thought he would be furious but he wasn't he just stared at me for a long time as if trying to recall something.

"Don't you remember you made a marriage vow under the oak tree a mount ago?" he asked meaningfully.

Wait where did he see that? I stood by the oak tree on a bright sunny day and said the wedding vows. On that day, I had witnessed a couple get married and I was fascinated by their vows so after selling, I stood in front of a big oak tree and said the vows. It was amazing but that doesn't mean that I got married to him.

"Wait what are you even talking about? Yes, I said those vows but you are not an oak tree are you?" I knew he wasn't an oak tree so what exactly was getting driving at?

Gerard looked at Ayla who was oblivious. Indeed, he was the oak tree. He had been cursed by the moon goddess that if ever he leaves the mansion in broad daylight in his human form, he would slowly become an oak tree and would only return to his wolf form at night in the open. This changing process was deadly and it would feel like his bones were stretching and slowly feel suffocated.

This curse was because of something he did in the past and because of that crazy mistake, he suffered this harsh punishment by the moon goddess. Not only him but everyone in this mansion. The workers were not serving the same punishment as him because they could leave the mansion whenever they please but they were subjected to being unable to talk for the rest of their lives until the curse is broken.

Gerard got up from the bed and walked out without saying a word leaving me confused. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell me the truth but I must say, I didn't care. Or maybe I did.